I picked up the Toronto Star excited by the news I had received earlier that morning.
A friend called me and told me that writer Doug Smith was breaking down the good and bad aspects of Sam Mitchell's coaching abilities. This was a can't-miss.
As I picked up the paper, curious as to how he could possibly fill the positive column with anything substantial, I found myself baffled. It seemed that Smith has become so utterly obsessed with praising Mitchell, he decided to invent reasons to support him.
The one that stuck out? He was adamant that Mitchell developed his good players. I'm certainly glad he gave an example for this. The three beneficiaries of Mitchell's amazing development techniques? Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon, and Andrea Bargnani.
Oh boy. Where does one even begin to argue this point?
How about by defining causation?
Let us assume that for any one thing to causally effect the other, it would first have to be verified using a series of rules.
Just like saying that Mitchell caused his good players to become better, could it not be said then that Mitchell wearing glasses causes the Raptors to lose?
I assure you, it follows out the same logic.
Smith's argument:
(1) Sam Mitchell is the coach of the Toronto Raptors.
(2) Andrea Bargnani, Chris Bosh, and Jose Calderon play for the Raptors.
(3) All three players have improved from when they first became Raptors.
(4) Mitchell has remained the head coach through their improvement.
(5) Mitchell is responsible for their improvement.
Ouch! Doug Smith really dropped the twinkies on this one.
Chris Bosh
Can it be argued that Bosh's numbers have improved every season? No. Can it be argued that Bosh is a better player today than he was as a rookie? It can. Bosh came into this league as a rookie under Kevin O'Neill.
His defense during this time—despite being the thinnest centre in league history since Manut Bol—was impressive. It had you thinking that with some added bulk, this might end up being a poor man's version of Tim Duncan. His potential had me thinking Hall of Fame the minute he stepped on the court.
I still remember a conversation I had with Bob Byers, an assistant coach for the Raptors at the time. I asked him how Bosh was doing and he told me that he was going to be a phenomenal player. He went out of his way to compliment his willingness to work on both ends of the court. What the hell happened?
Sam Mitchell happened. After his disastrous first season, Mitchell decided it was time to become blind to defense and evaluate players based on one thing—are they shooting well, or not?
Certainly, someone with basic knowledge of the game can only judge so much. Thus, we saw a pattern of players who were unable to score being benched in favor of those who could. We also saw a strange phenomenon occur. Everybody became a jump shooter. Even Jamario Moon.
The offense turned slashers like Delfino and Fred Jones into jump shooters. It thus makes very much sense that if the definition of good player has become "good scorer," that Bosh is a good player, because that's exactly what Bosh is.
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about 1 month ago
great article dude
about 1 month ago
Hey Rob,
I thought the article was an interesting read even if I didn't agree with some of the things you said.
Keep doing your thing.
about 1 month ago
very good article. i can tell you've taken a philosophy class or two during your college days ;)
but i dare you to post this link on doug's blog. call him out on his crazy claims using his very own forum. challenge him to respond. or if you'd rather not do it yourself, do you mind if i send him the link to your article?
about 1 month ago
wow.sarcasm overload...and Bosh hasnt improved?!listen to yourself
about 1 month ago
I'm not a Sam Mitchell fan, and I have trouble sitting through a Raptors game because of him. He reminds me of a controlling husband who's got an alcohol problem. He doesn't appear to coach so much as he just screams and yells, pounding his fists. The only players that get better are the ones that tune him out.
Watch Calderon and Bosh when Sam starts yelling at him, they don't listen. They just stand there and shake their head.
Sam Mitchell, instead of talking should just start a buddy system.
Joey Graham, go hang out with Anthony Parker and use your ridiculous athleticism to become a defensive genius. Your offense will take care of itself, it really will. You dont have to be the first guy up the court -- you just have to be constant in your transition play.
Jamario Moon and Kris Humphries, please go sit down with Jose Calderon and learn to understand the game. You're both PFs, but you both try to do way too much. Jose will help you understand the game, and how to get more with less. Once you understand that, turn on your athleticism and you'll go from average to good players.
Andrea Bargani, you need to just get solid minutes. Start to understand that the only reason you're ever going to get pulled from a game is because you're not getting back on defense. You're always over matched when we play you at 3, and we know that. But you still have to get back on defense, just try. Please go hang out with Leo Routin, he's a terrible coach but a great coach for you.
Chris Bosh and Jermaine O'Neal, you're new best friends. We're going to tie you together, and teach you proper spacing. When we play Andrea at the 3, there's going to be a lot of dribble penetration. If you two can collapse while keeping your spacing you're going to force bad passes or tough shots. That'll allow Bargniani to get back, and he'll rotate and cover whoever you had to leave.
about 1 month ago
I don't know if Sam Mitchell helped him improve, but Chris Bosh is definitly improved, his play this year puts him right up there in the MVP race. Mitchell is a good coach though
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